Completed NEA

 Dear Moderator, 

My name is Bradley Hillyer. Welcome to my A Level Media Studies blog. This is a record of the work I have undertaken for the Making Media Non-examination Assessment (NEA) within the OCR H409 GCE A Level course in Media Studies. 

I worked independently on Brief 3: Magazine and Online to produce the front covers and contents pages for the first two editions of a film magazine called Origins. together with the magazine's accompanying website.

Research and Planning

Further down in my blog you will find evidence of my research and planning for this task.

Magazine Covers and Contents Pages

Magazine first edition cover and contents page

Magazine second edition and contents page

Magazine Website

The link to my website, which was created using Wix, can be found at the link below. 

The magazine consists of a homepage and a single linked page. This page can be accessed by clicking here

To access the linked page, click on the 'Magazine' in Home Page

NEA Task 21 (Planning) : Photography Planning

 Total Images needed - 13

Issue One - 4 'Manic' Images

Issue Two - 7 'Tradesmen' Images

2 Other images 

Issue One Images

Front cover

Main Image

Close up shot

Low key lighting

Slight low angle shot

Costume - suit, wet hair 

Location - underpass, dim light

Contents page

Main image

Birds eye shot

Direct gaze

Long shot

Costume - suit with blazer removed

Location - pathway, field

Side image 

Two shot of image being taken

Location - Field, pathway

Website linked page

Group photo

Group photo of production team in action

Long shot 

Previous issue photo

Close up of lower waist and legs shot

tie in hand

Blazer removed

Location - Underpass dim light, concrete surrounding

Issue Two Images

Front cover

Main Image

Long shot 

Props - chair

Direct gaze

Costume - tan trousers, tropical shirt

Location - field, overlooking pond

Contents page

Main Image

Worms eye view shot

Actor in same attire of front cover shot

Location - Road

Side Image

Two shot of image being taken of actor

Actor is posing for the camera or sitting down

Website page

Main Image

Low angle shot of director and actor discussing

Location - Each on either side of the river holding clothes

Side image

Two shot of actor being asked question by fans

Mid- shot of the two characters

Location - On set with equipment on show

Side image

Extreme long shot of actor

Actor has in the air

Actor on knees

Low angle shot

Website revies and Interviews page

Image of Tradesmen

Group photo of all cast with equipment present with main actor in same position as front cover shot

Slightly high angle shot

Other Images

Camera Image

Close up shot on camera

High angle shot - 70 degrees

Actors

Bradley Hillyer

Jake Sullivan

Ethan Brown

Ethan Beale

Mason Carvell

Matthew Walton

NEA Task 20 (Planning) : Website Homepage and Linked Page

Website Homepage

Website Linked Page

 

NEA Task 19 (Planning) : Contents Pages

Contents page Mock-up 1

Main Image - Long shot of front cover magazine image being taken place

Side image - close up on director

80 - Insanity - In which the director expresses his concerns and obstacles with the production of the film.

46 - Highly anticipated - 'Teasers' and 'Leaks' surrounding the new upcoming season of The Boys.

56 - Bloody vampire - The latest expansion into the MCU and possible cameos that might be spotted in the latest movie in the the Blade saga.

62 - To be continued - An insight into the themes and beliefs surrounding the latest instalment of the Dune series.

68 - Evolution - An insight into the distribution and creation of film over the last decade.

70 - Denis Villeneuve - 

76 - Modern times - How the change from blockbuster cinemas to streaming platforms rippled everyone's choice into the film industry

Image of Content page Mock-up 1

Contents page Mock-up 2

Main Image - Over the shoulder shot opposite props (chair)

Side image - Mid shot of director taking a photo

80 - Director discusses the much anticipated arrival of new TV Series

46 - A exclusive look into Joe's story in the American psychological thriller TV series

56 - An overview of the Top Boy series with fans first reactions 

62 - Fans in numbers at the new Succession trailer with cast being present.

68 - Various directors discuss the setbacks in creating sequels to popular films.

70 - Film crew of new TV series 'Tradesmen' discuss the various settings and locations that influenced the final product.

Image of Content page Mock-up 2

NEA Task 18 (Planning) : Mock Up of Cover 1 and 2

Mock Up Cover 1

In creating this mock-up I have chosen to have a selection of content pugs at the top of the magazine. Furthermore, I have chosen to place the masthead beneath the contents plug this is done to make the masthead clear and show brand identity. Then the main image is centralised, this will be the focus of the magazine. The surrounding this there will be a pull quote beneath and contents plugs either side of the pull quote.

Mock Up Cover 2

 The layout for Mock-up cover 2 is similar to the previous cover this done to cross-reference each other and create uniformity between the two covers. However, this mock-up cover makes use out of a long-shot rather than a close-up.

NEA Task 17 (Planning) : Coverlines, Images and Page Furniture

Mock up 1

Main coverline 

Psycho

manic

maniac

oddball 

oddjob 

schizo 

DID dissociative identity disorder

Main Image

 Close-up reference Queen 

Illuminated face

 

 low key lighting in background

 mise-en-scene : Actor in suit - grey, dark suit

Hair gelled- wet look

Page Furniture

Contents page (top of mag)

The Boys s4 august

Blade November

Dune : Part II October Denis Villeneuve

Contents plug (bottom left)

Jake Sullivan

Wesley Snipes

Anthony Starr

Will Smith

Pull Quote

Showing wild, apparently deranged, excitement and energy

Coverline

Method behind the madness

A spin of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde 

Mock up 2

Main coverline

Tradesmen

Sellers

Vendors

Brokers

Main image

Guy sitting on chair (Kit Harrington Ad)

long-shot

Tropical shirt/ Business suit

Fist on chin 

Direct gaze at camera

High key lighting

Page Furniture

Contents page (top of mag)

You Season 4 part 1 & 2

Top Boy Season 3

Succession Season 4

Contents plug (bottom left)

Penn Badgley

Ashley Walters

Mark Mylod

Pull Quote

Close doesn't count

Coverline

Tradesmen gone rogue

A twist on normal crime

NEA Task 16 (Planning) : Masthead Design

 

NEA Task 15 (Planning) : Film Magazine 60 Second Pitch

NEA Task 14 (Planning) : Magazine Title and Strapline

 Target Audience : 18-25 year old's Media Literate Middle to upper market target audience

Magazine Title :

Film Trek     Pilgrimage    Odyssey.    G.O.A.T    Origins.   Source    Lineage    Mirage    Apex   Unity   Chimera   Totem   Emblem     Witness

After varying responses from colleagues 'Origins.' is the likely option for my magazine title this is because of the connation of the noun.  

Strapline

 Everchanging landscape of film

Behind the camera

Behind the script

Behind the lighting

Behind the works

Behind the frames

Roots and motives

Behind the lens

After varying responses from colleagues, 'Behind the lens' is the likely choice due to the connotations of film whilst also implying a focus on the production behind the camera. This more suitable than other straplines. For example, 'Roots and Motives' has connotations of gardening. Therefore, this is not suitable due to attracting the wrong audience.

Reasoning for magazine title : I have chosen 'Origins.' as the title magazine. This is because 'Origins' has connotations of the point or place where something begins. More explicitly, origins (within context) will emphasis the production of films and how they are produced with certain themes. This is significant, as this film magazine will focus on production of films and the motives/ideologies that are embedded within the films. Therefore, 'Origins.' is suitable as a magazine title due to the magazine showing the original beliefs and views surrounding the films. This will be done by having various interviews being placed on the website and magazine. These interviews will be with notable figures surrounding the film such as the director and various actors and how they wish to paly their role within the film. A middle to upper market media literate audience would be aware of noun origins and its connotation therefore making the title suitable.

Magazine Title - Origins.

Magazine Strapline - Behind the lens

NEA Task 13 : Research Into Existing Film Magazine Websites

 

NEA Task 12 : Research Into Film Magazine Contents Pages

The Sight and Sound content page from June 2022 is a single page. The page is split between the contents on each page, reviews and contributor. This is done as it organises the content page making the page more aesthetically pleasing to a potential consumer. The different sections my be useful as it allows the audience to navigate through the magazine. Furthermore, the contents page allows the consumers of the magazine to understand what is the main content. The content page contains contributor (Derek O'Connor), Connor has won prises at the Celtic Media Festival due to his documentaries. The contents page also contains reviews upon films within the issue such as Vortex and Wild Men. This may be included as it allows certain audiences who are interested in the overall performance of a film to have an insight to a films performance. The contents page makes use out of both sans-serif and serif fonts. This is significant as the main coverline on the content page is shown in a sans-serif font this allows the main coverline to be easily understood and recognised, allowing the audience to decode what is on the contents page. The use of images allows the a potential consumer to have a visual representation of the contributors. This may have been done as it may emphasise their work due to being able to put 'a face to work'. This is therefore significant as Sight and Sound consumers are interested with the production and work behind the camera, therefore showing key contributors would interest the audience. Furthermore, the use of page numbers allows the audience to navigate through the issue easily. In addition, this gives the impression that the issue is 'crammed' with content therefore causing the belief that the issue is valuable to a consumer.

The Sight and Sound contents page form March 2023 is a single page. Similarly, to the last issue the page is split between the contents on each page, reviews and contributor. The contents page is also shown in black and white. This may be done to reduce cost for the magazine or according to adsofbrands.net increase the likelihood of a viewer concentrating on the material presented to them. Alternatively, the March 2023 issue has different contributors compared to the previous issues. For example, this issue contains Jonathan Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum is a film critic and author. Rosenbaum has published and edited numerous books about film and has contributed to such notable film publications such as Cahiers du cinema and Film Comment, according to Wikipedia. Similarly, to the previous issue the contents page also contains reviews upon films within the issue such as Tar and Holy Spider. Holy Spider is based upon the true events of Saeed Hanaei, a serial killer who targeted and killed street prostitutes. In addition, Tar is a psychological drama film written and directed by Todd Field in which Lydia Tar is accused of sexual misconduct and how she deals with this. Furthermore, the contents page is similar to the previous issue's content page as it follows the same font, size and text direction as the previous issues. This may be done as it gives the audience uniformity and a standard between the two issues. Similarly to the previous issue Sight and Sound use images to emphasis the work of the contributors. However, the images chosen are all close-up shots, this is significant as it allows the audience to seen a detailed image of the contributor further emphasising their work and impact on this issue of Sight and Sound. Due to this, Sight and Sound are seen as conventional due to the contents page containing various types of information regarding the issue.

The Little White Lies page from July/August 2022 contains a single page content page. The contents page shows the lead review of Pink Flamingos, The gospel according to St John, John Walters : An Oeuvre, The Dreamlanders: A Who's Who and many others. Compared to Sight and Sound, Little White Lies' cover page is scarce with information. This may be done in order to follow typical conventions of a Little White Lies magazine as Little White Lies magazine's are known to be minimalistic in their physical appearance. The Lead Review mentions Pink Flamingos and its 50th anniversary, meanwhile on page 26 (What a Swizz!) is mentioned as a muck-smearing one-off. There is a lack of different sections on the contents page. Once stated before this is done to reinforce the minimalistic look of a Little White Lies Issue. The typography is of a sans-serif font, this connotes that Little White Lies are modern, this can be supported by Little White Lies being founded in 2005, this is fairly recent when compared to other magazine titles. Furthermore, Little White Lies has no images present, this may be done to show minimise the layout of the contents page, perhaps to not make the contents page overwhelming or clustered to a potential reader. In addition, the the contents page contains page numbers this is done to make navigating through the issue easier.

The Little White Lies contents page for issue 96 is a single page. This may be done to reduce costs per issue or to emphasis the minimalistic look that Little White Lies that has throughout its issues. The layout is similar to the previous issue, this is done to create a sense of uniformity between the two content pages. However, the colour palette is different between the two issues. For example, issue 96 has a a light colour palette using a mixture of light blue and black for the typography. This could have been done in order to match the front cover's colour palette. The lead review is of Glass Onion which is present on the front page/cover of issue 96. Furthermore, the contents page also contains information about 'A Page Ripped From the LWLies Gazette, which further contains classified ads and Movie detectives from A-Z. The typography used is similar to the previous issue as it contains a sans-serif font, therefore connoting modernity. This may have been done to differentiate between other magazine titles as Little White Lies is seen as experimental compared to other titles such as Sight and Sound and Film Stories. Furthermore, Little White Lies has no images present, this may be done to show minimise the layout of the contents page, perhaps to not make the contents page overwhelming or clustered to a potential reader. In addition, the the contents page contains page numbers this is done to make navigating through the issue easier and is the main purpose of a contents page.

The contents page for the November 2022 issue of Film Stories is a double-page. This may have been done to allow more information to be on the contents pages. This therefore gives the impression that there is a lot of value on the content pages due to the content being seen as 'crammed'. Film Stories use a different layout compared to previous film magazines for example, Film Stories have their typography to the sides on the content pages whilst having the images and captions positioned within the centre. Within the contents page, the page references the main feature Daniel Radcliffe on page 6 and references to page 34 about 'The French Dispatched'. The contents page also uses humour whilst referring to the writers as 'The Important people' and the 'Less Important People'. The typography used is of a sans-serif font this makes the typography easier to glance over compared to a serif font making it more readable for a consumer. The use of images allows the audience to see a visual insight to the content of each individual page. In addition, the the contents page contains page numbers this is done to make navigating through the issue easier and is the main purpose of a contents page.

The contents page for the March 2023 issue of Film Stories is a double-page. This may have been done to allow more information to be on the contents pages. The layout for the contents page is similar to the previous issue with the images in the centre of the two pages and text/copy being placed on the sides of the pages. This creates a sense of uniformity between the two issues. Within the contents page there is a clear reference to the main feature of the issue 'Tetris', this can be found on page 6. Similarly to the previous issue, The contents page also uses humour whilst referring to the writers as 'The Important people' and the 'Less Important People'. The contents page also makes references to the 55th anniversary of  'Trumbull's Space Odyssey'. Furthermore, the contents page shows the content on each individual page, this an be seen on the right-hand side of the contents page. The typography used is of a sans-serif font, similarly to the previous issue. The issue makes use out of a blue colour to highlight headings for the information below. The content page is shown at the start of the issue. This is due to the contents pages being placed on page 4 and 5.

NEA Task 11 : Research Textual Analysis of Film Stories Front covers

 

NEA Task 10 : Research Textual Analysis of Little White Lies Front covers

 

NEA Task 9 : Research Textual Analysis of Sight and Sound Front covers

 

NEA Task 8 : Research Into Existing Film Magazines For A Media Literate Audience

 Film Stories are an publication who hold live events around the UK. Their aim is to celebrate movies. 

Film Stories are independent and therefore publish content by themselves.

Film Stories are published monthly.

Film Stories offer a subscription of £22.99

Film Stories typical front cover 

Film Stories does have a website etc https://filmstories.co.uk

Sight and Sound are a international film magazine company whilst offering insights to film culture with in-depth reviews and interviews

Sight and sound are published by the British Film Institution (BFI).

Sight and Sound are published once a month.

Sight and Sound charge an annual subscription of £50

Sight and Sound typical cover

 

Sight and Sound have a website Sight and Sound - BFI | BFI

Little White Lies are published by TCOLondon

Little white lies publish 5 times a year

Little white lies charge £28 per a subscription

Little white lies typical cover

Little white lies website https://lwlies.com

NEA Task 7 : My Target Audience

 

1. Why is target audience important to Bauer?

Target audience is important for Bauer as it allows Bauer to target the correct audience, therefore using its resources efficiently. Furthermore, it is important to Bauer as it allows the business to understand its users. This is significant as it allows Bauer to expose its targeted audience to certain products that would therefore appeal to the audience, therefore offering the most value of its consumers.

1. What is a media literate audience?

A media literate audience is a audience who are intelligent at decoding media products. They also evaluate, analyze both print and digital media products. Furthermore, a media literate audience are known to be active, therefore, consuming content whist producing it as well. This audience is known to become smarter overtime resulting in consumers becoming able to identify the producers intentions

Target Audience Profile

Sam may be in the Sixth Form studying A Levels and preparations for university. If Sam is already at university they are likely to be studying at a Russell Group university and following a course that is recognised as being traditionally academic. If Sam is employed they may be at the start of their career and, therefore, not at the height of their earning potential yet.

Sam’s family background will have added significant cultural capital to their experiences. Sam will have been brought up in a household where there has been a clear focus on the importance of education and the opportunities that this can bring. Sam will have experienced holidays both in this country and abroad and their knowledge of other cultures will have been enhanced by this.

Sam is knowledgeable about current affairs but doesn’t access news via traditional channels such as newspapers or television. Sam would not dream of reading the red top or middle-market tabloids. If Sam had to, they may flick through The Guardian or i. 

To keep updated on what is happening in the world Sam, like most others of their age, relies more heavily on their social media feeds. Social media is important to Sam but it doesn’t dominate their life. They are more likely to use Instagram and Tik Tok than Facebook and will be as interested in consuming as they are in producing content. Sam likes to be seen as slightly different to the average 16-25 year old and has an active interest in learning about the world around them. Sam is interested in reality television programmes such as Love Island but is likely to see it as escapist fun rather than a guide to how they should live their life.

Sam will make use of online sources such as Huffington Post, a site that features content from more than 100,000 bloggers (from politicians, students and celebrities to academics, parents and policy experts) who contribute in real-time on the subjects they are passionate about. 

Sam is interested in all aspects of culture. They are interested in reading and are likely to always have at least one book by their bedside. Sam is more likely to read fiction than non-fiction and is able to hold a conversation regarding what they like and dislike in a narrative. Sam will enjoy music but doesn’t follow the crowd. Sam is interested in new music and takes pleasure in listening to artists that their friends may not have heard of yet. Sam is likely to be interested in attending festivals alongside friends. 

Sam will take an active interest in film and is just as likely to stream content as visit the cinema. Sam enjoys watching Hollywood blockbusters but is just as likely to seek out the latest independent film. Sam is interested in all aspects of film-making and not just the end product and, because of this, is more likely to read film magazines such as Sight and Sound, Little White Lies and Film Stories than more mainstream magazines such as Empire and Total Film.

Sam has some disposable income but is still conscious of the need to save. Fashion is important but  they are not a sheep who follows the same trends as everyone else. Sam will be seen by their friends as a trend setter and not a follower of fashion.

Sam is interested in issues that affect young people of the same age. These would include climate concerns and the impact of human beings on the environment.

NEA Task 6 : Understanding Audience (Mass Market)

 

1.     What is a mass market audience?

This refers to an audience on a large scale that have a similar need and therefore receive the same undifferentiated product.

2.     What is an independent cinema?

A cinema that operates on its own apart from major blockchain cinemas, therefore showing mass market films and other niche films as well.

3.     What is OnScreen magazine?

OnScreen magazine is a digital and physical product that is available on Onscreen. These magazines are free, however similar to how METRO make revenue through selling advertisements.

4.     What different sections are there on the OnScreen website and how do these sections appeal to a mass market audience?

These different sections appeal to a mass market audience due to offering a broad range of products. Also, the quantity of products that are offered suggest little diversification is needed. This is significant as this would result in all the product being shown are for a mass market audience, due to the number of products that are supplied to the market.

5.     How does the latest edition of OnScreen magazine (May/June 2023) appeal to a mass market audience?

The latest of the Onscreen magazine appeals to the mass market due to offering a wide range of products within the magazine. Furthermore, the Indiana Jones franchise is targeted to a mass audience therefore this would help the magazine/product be advertised to a mass market.

6.     What is meant by the term cross-media convergence?

Cross-media convergence is were producers advertise themselves across a range of different mediums to appeal to different audiences.

7.     Is there any cross-media convergence* between the magazine and its website? 

Cross-media convergence is present on Onscreen’s website and its physical magazines this is because the website references the physical magazines, whilst the physical magazines reference the online website. This is done to cater to all audiences by Onscreen in hopes that all audiences receive the same message. This message is therefore catered to a mass market in order to retain its targeted audiences.

NEA Task 5 : How Does Empire Appeal To Its Target Audience

 

NEA Task 4 : Research Into An Existing Bauer Film Magazine (Empire)

 According to Empire, they are the most influential and entertainment brand. This is due to magazines which are targeted towards as specific audience. Empire is notorious for collaborating with the largest films and distributors in the industry. This is because ‘Empire really matter to people’.

Empire’s readership tends to be between 18-40 years old and that are employed (with 77% being employed). It is believed that ‘Empire’s audience are passionate about films’, as they use films as an escapism or an insight to other worlds.

Empire is known to be the first producers in the industry to offer exclusive product, compared to other competitors in the market. This includes the world’s first voice-responsive talking cover for Deadpool 2, or a Steven Spielberg takeover, according to Empire. Furthermore, Empire is perceived to be different, when being compared to other competitors in the market due to their set visits. This is significant as this grants Empire exclusive on-set access with the MCU’s Captain Marvel. In addition, Empire is also known for featuring famous individuals and the biggest names in Hollywood.

Empire offers a digital edition which adapts the standard print magazine. This is done by exclusive video content and bespoke images. Empire also offers podcasts, with an average of 51,000 downloads a week. Furthermore, Empire hosts a range of live events throughout the year, with the Empire Awards being seen as the biggest.

To advertise on Empire’s magazines a full-page advertisement would cost £4,900 while a half-page would cost £2,795.

Overall, Empire has a different target audience, this is because Empire target potential consumer that range from 18-40, whilst a primarily 16–25-year-old middle and upmarket media literate audience would be suitable for my product. Another difference is that, although a literate audience is targeted, Empire also target ex-university graduates, therefore the language and meanings present may be more sophisticated compared to my product that will have more simplified language and meanings.

NEA Task 3 : Research into the UK Magazine Industry

 According to PulseMediaGroup the UK magazines is predicted to rise between 1% and 0.5%. This is mainly due to the rise of smartphones and tablet devices. This can be further reinforced by the greater availability of high-speed broadband, streaming and downloading of content becoming ever more popular. Magazine publishers have used innovation to interact with their readers and audiences. This is done by using campaign specific links and printed advertisements that are interactive. This is significant as this would attract attention and brand awareness.

The UK magazine industry has changed, this is by the emphasised by Covid-19 pandemic forcing the UK magazine industry to shift to an online presence. However, due to the shift to online magazines certain niches of the industry have been heavily affected, such as men’s magazines. This is because of the rapid popularity of social media apps such as Instagram. This is significant as this would result in print magazines revenue falling sharply while digital although rising, has not compensate for the decline in revenue. This can be reinforced by consumer expenditure falling to £669m in 2020.

Currently the main/ leading producers of the UK magazine industry are Bauer Media Group with a total circulation of 126.08 copies, whilst controlling an estimated 37% of the market share, therefore making it the UK’s leading magazine media publisher. Whilst Bauer Media Group are the largest UK magazine media publisher, Immediate Media Company also share a large proportion of the UK magazine market. This is due to having a circulation of just over 50 million. This is due to having ownership of BBC Good Food, Top of The Pops, Simply Sewing and Radio Times.

Compared to the news Industry and despite a number of takeovers and buyouts the magazine industry is still diverse and varied compared to newspapers due to magazine media reaching 76% of adults in the UK each month.